[Heterogeneity of basal membranes in human tissues detected by monoclonal antibodies to laminin and entactin].

The distribution of basal membrane glycoproteins, laminin and entactin, was studied immunohistochemically by peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in different adult human organs: kidneys, liver, heart, skin, spleen and ileum. Monoclonal antibody against entactin (ELM2) reacted with all basal membranes. Monoclonal antibody against laminin (LT3.1), however, did not react with basal membranes of arterial smooth muscle cells, or with endothelial basal membranes of renal and hepatic sinusoid endothelium. Thus, LT3.1 antibody has revealed basal membrane heterogeneity by laminin. The possible immunochemical heterogeneity of basal membranes by entactin is also discussed.